HTS Code Lookup: How to Find Your US Tariff Code and Duty Rate
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An HTS code lookup finds the 10 digit code in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) that classifies your product and sets its import duty. Search the schedule by what the product is and what it is made of, open the closest heading, read down to the 10 digit line, and note the duty rate printed on its 8 digit line. You can do this in the free HTS code lookup, which searches the official 2026 schedule by product words or by code.
This guide walks through a real lookup, explains the rate columns that confuse most importers, and shows how to check your answer before you ship.
What is an HTS code?
Every product imported into the US must be declared with an HTS code. The code decides the duty rate, whether extra tariffs apply, and which import rules or licences you need.
The first six digits are the international HS code used by almost every country. The US adds four more:
| Digits | Name | Example: 6109.10.00.12 | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Chapter | 61: knitted clothing | World Customs Organization (HS) |
| 4 | Heading | 6109: T-shirts, singlets, tank tops | HS, same in every country |
| 6 | Subheading | 6109.10: of cotton | HS, same in every country |
| 8 | Tariff rate line | 6109.10.00: the duty rate is printed here | United States |
| 10 | Statistical suffix | 6109.10.00.12: men's | United States, for trade statistics |
If your supplier abroad already gives you a six digit HS code, you only need to find the right US digits under it. If you have no code at all, our guide on how to find the HS code for a product covers the first six digits.
How to do an HTS code lookup, step by step
- Describe the product precisely. Write down what it is, what it is made of (and in what share), what it does and how it is sold. "Men's T-shirt, 100% cotton, knitted" finds the code far faster than "shirt".
- Search by product words. Open the HTS code lookup and type the key words, for example "cotton t-shirt".
- Pick the right chapter and heading. Results show the full path from chapter down. Check that the chapter fits: knitted clothing is chapter 61, woven clothing chapter 62.
- Read down to the 10 digit line. Choose the line that matches your product, such as men's or women's, or a material share.
- Note the rates on the 8 digit line. That is where General, Special and Column 2 rates sit.
- Check for extra duties. If the code points to chapter 99 headings, those extra tariffs are listed with their percent.
Already know a code? Type it in the search box instead to see its full path and rates.
The three duty rate columns explained
| Column | Who it applies to | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| General (column 1) | Goods from most countries | This is your base rate in most cases |
| Special | Goods that qualify under a free trade agreement or preference program | The letters in brackets name the program, for example S for USMCA, KR for Korea, AU for Australia. The goods must meet that program's rules of origin |
| Column 2 | Countries without normal trade relations | Currently Cuba, North Korea, Russia and Belarus |
"Free" in the Special column only helps if your goods qualify and you claim the program on the entry. Being shipped from a partner country is not enough; the goods must originate there under the program's rules.
Extra tariffs in chapter 99
On top of the base rate, chapter 99 adds duties for particular goods or origins, such as Section 301 duties on many goods from China and Section 232 duties on steel, aluminium and other products. Many of these measures apply by country of origin and change often, so a lookup shows the ones the code's footnotes point to, but you should confirm the current position for your origin before you ship.
To turn the rate into money, open the US tariff calculator: it takes the HTS code and value and adds the base duty, any extra duties you tick, the merchandise processing fee and, for sea freight, the harbor maintenance fee.
Common HTS lookup mistakes
- Classifying by use instead of material. A cotton tote bag and a plastic tote bag sit in different headings, even though both carry groceries.
- Stopping at 6 or 8 digits. US entries need all 10 digits.
- Copying the supplier's export code blindly. Their national digits after the first six are not US digits.
- Ignoring chapter and section notes. These notes decide many borderline cases, such as sets, parts and accessories.
- Using last year's schedule. The HTS is revised several times a year. Our lookup uses the official USITC export, 2026 Revision 21.
How to check your HTS code before you ship
For a straightforward product, a careful lookup is usually enough. For anything borderline or high value:
- Search past rulings in CBP's CROSS database for similar products.
- Ask a licensed customs broker to confirm.
- For certainty, request a binding ruling from US Customs and Border Protection.
The importer of record is responsible for the code, so a wrong code can mean underpaid duty, penalties or delays.
Where the HTS code goes next
Put the final 10 digit code on your commercial invoice next to each line item, together with the country of origin. Your broker uses it on the entry. If you export from the US, note that export codes (Schedule B) share the same first six digits but are a separate list.
Look up your HTS code now
Describe your product, search the free HTS code lookup, read the path down to 10 digits, and send the code straight to the duty calculator to see what the shipment will cost.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up an HTS code?
Describe the product by what it is and what it is made of, search the HTS by those words, open the closest heading and read down to the 10 digit line. The duty rate is printed on the 8 digit line above it.
Is an HTS code the same as an HS code?
The first six digits are the same international HS code. The US adds two digits for the duty rate line and two statistical digits, making ten.
What does Free mean in the Special column?
It means goods that qualify under the trade program named in brackets, such as S for USMCA, can enter duty free. The goods must meet that program's rules of origin and you must claim it on the entry.
Who is responsible for the HTS code on an import?
The importer of record. A broker can help, but a wrong code can still lead to extra duty or penalties, so check borderline products with CBP rulings or a binding ruling request.
Does the HTS rate include Section 301 tariffs?
No. The General rate is the base duty. Section 301, Section 232 and other chapter 99 duties are added on top when they apply to your goods and country of origin.